ELSA DIGNE KAGWIZA’s Post

🌟 Financing with a gender perspective is not just pivotal; it's imperative for building an equal and just society. Despite strides in gender equality, women still grapple with socioeconomic disparities worldwide. From limited access to education and healthcare to economic opportunities, the repercussions are profound. At a recent forum in Seoul, UN experts underscored the urgent need to strengthen institutions and finance initiatives through a gender lens to break this cycle of inequality. 💼 The recent 68th Commission on the Status of Women highlighted resolutions to integrate gender perspectives into financing, expand fiscal investments to alleviate poverty for women and girls, and support women's organizations. However, challenges persist. High debt burdens and insufficient recognition of societal needs hinder adequate financing, leaving millions vulnerable, particularly in regions like Myanmar, where crises exacerbate gender-based vulnerabilities. 🌍 Investing in women isn't just a moral imperative; it's a strategic move for sustainable development. As Jason Allford of the World Bank Group emphasizes, 'When women thrive, countries and communities thrive.' Read the full article from The Korea Herald here: https://lnkd.in/dtC3EVdj #GenderEquality #FinancingForAll #EmpowerWomen

I had the privilege of participating in a two-day regional dialogue on transformative gender social norms aimed at enhancing the participation and representation of women and youth in leadership and decision-making. This important event was organized by International IDEA and UN Women, with funding from the European Union. As a panelist, I contributed to the session on the intersectionality of gender social norms and their impact on women and youth political participation and representation. I shared insights and experiences from Malawi, utilizing the APRT (Access, Participation, Representation, and Transformation) conceptual framework to highlight key challenges and opportunities for change. #GenderEquality #YouthEmpowerment #WomenInLeadership #SocialNorms #PoliticalParticipation #Malawi #Intersectionality #EU #UNWomen #InternationalIDEA #Oxfam

💡 I’m thrilled to have successfully completed the Gender Mainstreaming for Development Finance Institutions course. This program by Investment Climate Reform Facility has deepened my understanding of the business case for gender finance and how development finance institutions (DFIs) like Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank can promote gender equality both internally and externally. 📚 Key Learnings: 1. Business Benefits of Gender Inclusion - From closing the financing gap for women-owned businesses to improving institutional performance and innovation, gender finance is a strategic imperative for DFIs. 2. Barriers to Women’s Access to Finance - I now have insights into the supply- and demand-side barriers that women face when accessing financial services and how we can address these challenges effectively. 3. Tailored Gender Finance Approaches - I learned how to analyze the gender dynamics within organizations and develop gender-inclusive strategies and policies that are sustainable and impactful. 4. Gender Analysis & Policy Development - Equipped with tools for conducting gender analysis, I can now help shape policies that promote gender equity in financial and operational processes. 5. Implementation and Monitoring - Understanding how to put gender strategies into action and measure their success through effective monitoring and evaluation systems. #GenderMainstreaming #DevelopmentFinance #InclusiveGrowth #GenderEquality #WomenInFinance #ProfessionalDevelopment

Achieving gender equality and women’s economic empowerment through improved macroeconomic policy formulation: An impactful solution. See below for more insights: https://lnkd.in/dritb92T

Happy #InternationalWomensDay 2024! 🚺 March 8 is a day to celebrate women’s achievements but also to raise awareness about discrimination and gender inequality. The theme of this year is #InspireInclusion. 🤝   How are we inspiring inclusion in our work at #WE4D?   GIZ’s regional programme “employment promotion for women for the green transformation in Africa – WE4D” aims to empower women and promotes diversity by improving women’s employment opportunities and strengthening the economic situation in sub-Saharan African countries. 📈 🌍   Wondering how we do this in practice? ✅ We support favorable framework conditions for women that they can thrive in all professions irrespective of gender. ✅ We try to sensitize and support companies to diversify their workforce to take actions for systematic change. ✅ We support women entrepreneurs and their individual needs especially, in green sectors.   How will you #InspireInclusion in your environment? Share your comments below! 📢   The WE4D programme is commissioned by BMZ, in partnership with the EU and Norad and implemented by GIZ. Find further information on WE4D here: https://lnkd.in/egxBncc4   #InternationalWomensDay2024 #InspireInclusion #WE4D   Picture: © GIZ/ Maria Chale

New research by the Institute for Security Studies’ African Futures and Innovation programme highlights the significant benefits Africa could gain from reducing gender inequalities. By modelling the impact of ambitious but feasible reductions in gender disparities, the study projects substantial economic growth and poverty reduction. In a scenario of reduced gender inequality, Africa's economy could be $259 billion larger by 2043, with significant gains in the services sector. Shifting social norms could accelerate women's movement into higher-value sectors, leading to higher GDP per capita and 53 million fewer people living in extreme poverty. An illustrative scenario of full gender equality shows even more impressive results, with a $1 trillion larger economy and 80 million fewer people in extreme poverty by 2043. https://lnkd.in/dt2GzrSq

Throwback from yesterday's intervention at the Union for the Mediterranean #Women4Mediterranean Conference. Antonella Autino took part in the High-Level Conference on Women for the Mediterranean, co-organized by the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and the Commissioner for Gender Equality of Cyprus and highlighted two examples from PRIMA projects championing gender mainstreaming: PRIMA NEXUS–NESS and #MountainHER The principal objective of the NEXUS-NESS project is to support a participatory transition towards sustainable planning and management of resources in the agroecosystem, focusing on WEFE. Following key steps: 📊 Gender Capacity Assessment. 🧠 Gender awareness workshops. 📚 Training for leaders and stakeholders on gender issues 👩🌾 Women’s participation in decision-making. In Wadi Naghamish, Egypt, the project organized workshops with the Bedouin community, where women play a pivotal role in resource management and cultural heritage. While the MountainHER Project empowers rural women in mountain communities (Algeria, Croatia, Italy, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia) focusing on barley and durum wheat. Key initiatives: 🏢 Revising governance of women’s associations. 👩🍳 Supporting women in high-value food production. 🛒 Connecting with retailers and digital markets. 📈 Conducting market potential studies. 💪Successful Models: 🚀 Nexus-NESS and MountainHER demonstrate significant social and economic progress. You can read more about their actions in our latest report: https://lnkd.in/exAvrV5r

Breaking the Boys Club.  " If investing in women yields good returns then why are we still fighting for their inclusion? " Theres  global initiative to unite experts and organizations to make significant strides towards closing the gender gap in entrepreneurship. Through providing funding for pilot projects addressing the gender finance gap and fostering knowledge-sharing among investors, we are paving the way for a more inclusive business landscape. Sekai Chiwandamira, Chapter Head of ANDE SA, highlights the complexity of this endeavor, emphasizing the critical role of the ecosystem. She emphasizes, "The battle of closing the gender gap is not as simple as it is made out to be. It is quite complex and governed by the ecosystem." For Africa to achieve financial inclusion for women in the Small and Growing Business (SGB) sector, it necessitates a collaborative approach. By working together towards this goal, we not only spur economic growth but also bring South Africa closer to fulfilling the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 5: 'Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.' Read more about this vital initiative in the SA Startup Progress Report 2023: https://lnkd.in/gG45wWvU Together, let us build a future where everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. The Business Doctor Keitumetse Lekaba #GenderEquality #Entrepreneurship #GlobalInitiative #SustainableDevelopmentGoals

🚨 🟢 CAMEROON FALLS BEHIND IN THE 2024 SDG GENDER INDEX: WHAT’S HOLDING US BACK? 🚨 The 2024 SDG Gender Index shows a worrying trend for Cameroon. Despite global efforts to achieve gender equality by 2030, our nation is either stagnating or sliding backward. But why? What’s preventing progress on #SDG5? 🔍 🔴 KEY ISSUES HOLDING CAMEROON BACK: 1. Ongoing #Conflicts: The #Anglophonecrisis, the Boko Haram Violent Extremism and general political instability disproportionately affect women and girls, increasing vulnerability to violence and displacement. 2.#CulturalNorms and #Patriarchy: Traditional practices continue to limit women’s rights in areas like access to #SRHs #Inheritance, #landownership, and #decisionmaking. 3. #EconomicInequality: Women have limited access to #financialresources, #credit, and #entrepreneurialopportunities, especially in rural areas. 4. #Education and #HealthGaps: #Earlymarriages, lack of secondary education, and inadequate sexual and reproductive health services widen the gender gap. 5. #Corruption and #Governance Failures: Resources meant for gender programs are misused, hindering the implementation of necessary reforms. 6. #ClimateChange: Environmental degradation disproportionately impacts rural women, driving them deeper into poverty. 🔑 🟡 WHAT CAN CAMEROON’S LEADERS DO? 1. #StrengthenCommitment: We need gender-responsive policies and proper enforcement of laws protecting women’s rights.    2. #AddressPatriarchalNorms: National campaigns and #maleallyship can help shift the cultural landscape toward gender equality.    3. Invest in Education and #Healthcare: Increasing access to education for girls and improving #SRHservices are critical steps forward.    4. #SupportWomen’sEconomicEmpowerment: Leaders should enhance women’s access to credit, markets, and #technology to #leveltheeconomicplayingfield.    5. #FightCorruption: #Transparencyingovernance is key to ensuring that gender-focused resources reach those who need them.    6. #AdapttoClimateChange: Climate-smart policies that include women’s perspectives are essential for long-term sustainability. 💡 🟢 THE TIME FOR CAMEROON TO ACT IS NOW. Gender equality is not just a moral issue, but a development imperative. Only by addressing these crises can we unlock a future of prosperity and equity for all. #2024SDGGenderIndex #SDG5 #GenderEquality #Cameroon #SustainableDevelopment #Leadership #EmpowerWomen #GenderJustice #2024SDGIndex #WomenInLeadership #EconomicEmpowerment #ClimateAction #GoodGovernance #SDGs #GenderIndex #SDGIndex #GenderEqualFuture #GlobalFundWomen #AmplifyChange #CJRF #CompactCoalition #SOFT #SheBuildsPeace #WomenWaginPeace #WomenPeaceMakers #KrcInstitute #SanermoIHL

Happy #InternationalWomensDay 2024! 🚺 March 8 is a day to celebrate women’s achievements but also to raise awareness about discrimination and gender inequality. The theme of this year is #InspireInclusion. 🤝   How are we inspiring inclusion in our work at #WE4D?   GIZ’s regional programme “employment promotion for women for the green transformation in Africa – WE4D” aims to empower women and promotes diversity by improving women’s employment opportunities and strengthening the economic situation in sub-Saharan African countries. 📈 🌍   Wondering how we do this in practice? ✅ We support favorable framework conditions for women that they can thrive in all professions irrespective of gender. ✅ We try to sensitize and support companies to diversify their workforce to take actions for systematic change. ✅ We support women entrepreneurs and their individual needs especially, in green sectors.   How will you #InspireInclusion in your environment? Share your comments below! 📢   The WE4D programme is commissioned by BMZ, in partnership with the EU and Norad and implemented by GIZ. Find further information on WE4D here: https://lnkd.in/egxBncc4   #InternationalWomensDay2024 #InspireInclusion #WE4D   Picture: © GIZ/ Maria Chale